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Thursday, March 28, 2013

It’s been more than a month since my last post. The “writer’s block” syndrome has hit me again. Combined with a hectic schedule and constant travelling, it is indestructible. Nevertheless, I am back and I owe myself and this sad blog a post. Luckily, I have something quite interesting to share: my first ever family vacation!

On the 16th of March, I went to Bali for the first time in years to meet my nuclear and extended family from my dad’s side. We were all very excited because some of my siblings have never been there before. It felt very special to be complete, at last, at our grandparent’s house. We did a LOT of catching up. As usual, we swapped stories about school, work, and daily habits, eager to catch up with every detail that we have missed all this time.

*My little brother, my young aunt, my mother, and I at our home in Bali

I was so happy to meet everyone. As usual, I ate a LOT. As a student far away from her home and family, that’s normal, right?

We stayed in Bali for three nights and four days before departing to Lombok on the 19th of March. I was just as eager to touch down at Lombok. The last time I went to Lombok was around three years ago, all by myself, to prepare some documents for work. Of course, it wasn’t a satisfying trip at that time because I was preoccupied with all the bureaucracy.

Anyway, this time it was a real holiday. We stayed at a hotel during our stay at Mataram. It had a pool so my brothers got to fool around in it (none of them can actually swim properly, haha) while we laughed at them. My extended family from my mom’s side came to visit us often. It has been such a long time since I saw them last. My old friends from high school also came to visit. I was so, so happy to finally see them again. We went on plenty of outings and shared many stories. So many interesting things have happened while I was away.

*Some pictures of my best friends in Mataram (we held a fashion makeover session and my friend creatively edited the pictures from the occassion)

My old house was finally sold. My best friend was going to get married. My cousin was also planning for a marriage. Some of my classmates already had kids. A lot of things have changed.

Unfortunately I couldn’t do everything I wanted to before I had to go back to Jogja on the 22nd of March. I couldn’t visit my grandmother’s grave. I couldn’t attend my cousin’s pre-wedding party. I didn’t even get the chance to go to any of the beaches. Someday later, maybe…

I plan to visit Bali and Lombok again, of course. Maybe not as soon as I would like, but as soon as I can. I didn’t realize how much I missed both places until I came back. The same goes for the people. I didn’t realize how much I missed them until I saw them…

PS: I wish I could post more pictures. Unfortunately, I lost my bluetooth device for my laptop so I can’t transfer the pictures from my phone to my laptop yet. I might post them later when I’ve found it – or bought a new one.